MLS – Big 5

So, what exactly has gotten into Omar Gonzalez? You might be wondering that if you saw the big MLS Monday Night Soccer Showcase on ESPN2.

Gonzalez behaviour was surprising as he is usually calm and collected.(ISI Photos/John Todd)

First, the normally Gentle Giant shoved DeAndre Yedlin to Seattle’s artificial turf, then when Yedlin’s teammate and U.S. captain, Clint Dempsey intervened Gonzo had a little something for him too.

Just a few weeks ago these three were best buds. No more. As for Gonzalez, a little bit of edge might be just what his game needs.

2) L.A. Spank Seattle at CenturyLink

This has been looking like it might be the year that Seattle finally give all those fans the ultimate gift, an MLS Cup, and it still could turn out that way. But, don’t sleep on L.A.

That is the takeaway from the 3-0 whupping the Galaxy put on the Sounders Monday night in Seattle. L.A. coach Bruce Arena went back to his comfort zone, lining his team out in the familiar Galaxy 4-4-2, and it certainly was a good move on the night.

Dononvan got a goal and assist to his name. (ISI Photos/Michael Janosz)

Landon Donovan had a goal and an assist, Gyasi Zardes and Stefan Ishizaki each scored, and the trio combined with Robbie Keane to terrorize the Sounders defense in the first half.

Seattle put the pressure on in the second half, led by Obafemi Martins, Clint Dempsey, and DeAndre Yedlin, but the Galaxy closed out the win and with 30 points closed within two of second place RSL in the West.

The Sounders still top the conference with 38, but L.A. announced that are right in this race.

3) Kaka Scores – in Brazil

NYC FC have been making MLS headlines of late, but Orlando’s big star Kaka, took back a little of that spotlight from New York for the Floridians, by scoring his first goal since going on loan to Brazilian side Sao Paulo.

Kaka in battling for the bal in Brazil.(Getty Images)

Orlando have also been rumored to be in for Kaka’s countryman Robinho, but nothing has been agreed just yet.

4) Is Ronaldinho Next for MLS?

Speaking of Brazilians looking for a new home, Ronaldinho set off MLS alarm bells when he agreed to part ways with Brazilian club Atletico Mineiro.

Rondaldinho has played for many wonderful teams including Barcelona.(Getty Images)

At 34, the former best player in the world, is clearly no longer that, but if he has a decent amount left in the tank his showmanship and talents can be a worthy addition to an MLS club in need of some star power.

Ronaldinho has offers elsewhere around the globe, so he may never come to MLS, but if he does New York Red Bulls are said to be at the top of the list.

5) Red Bulls Loan Lade to Cosmos

Soccer’s battle for New York took a strange and surprising twist when the Red Bulls agreed to loan seldom used fullback Connor Lade to the New York’s North American Soccer League representative New York Cosmos.

The rebooted Cosmos came back a year ago with lofty talk of giving New York’s MLS franchise a run for its money. Taking on its castoffs seems an unusual way to achieve that goal.

As for Lade, he made a good impact for Red Bulls a couple of years ago, even earning a call up to U.S. national team camp. If he can get some playing time on Long Island, the diminutive Lade might be able to get his career back on track.

About Peter Nolan

Peter Nolan is a staff writer for the GotSoccer Magazine, covering MLS and other US leagues, He's GotSoccer's chief National Team Correspondent.